Chair



Feb. 19, 1957 A. P. KRIKORIAN CHAIR 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 19, 1952 IN VEN TOR. fifl/f By n? Ma W CHAIR 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed D60. 19, 1952 IN VEN TOR.

z w 1 M 7 WA. w w I fl l W 1 fl i a M z; I EH1 lllffiriL -2 x n A W A J United States Patent CHAIR Albert P. Krikorian, Hampden, Mass. Application December 19, 1952, Serial No. 326,916

4 Claims. (Cl.155-1 06) My invention relates to improvements in chairs and is directed more particularly to improvements in chairs having a seat and back which are tiltable relative to a frame.

A principal object of the invention is the provision of a chair wherein a seat and back are readily tiltable between sitting and reclining positions relative to a frame by the occupant of the chair and further wherein a leg rest is swung and projected forwardly and upwardly accordingly as the seat and back are moved from the sitting position to the reclining position.

The mechanisms for the tilting of the back and seat and for the operation of the leg rest are simple in their form and eflicient in their operation thereby making it possible to produce the chair economically and further necessitating a minimum eifort on the part of the occupant of the chair to move the seat and the back between the upright and the reclining positions and simultaneously to swing and project the leg rest to the desired relative position.

The mechanism for effecting the relative movements of the chair parts is so constructed and arranged as to be substantially concealed so as not to detract from the appearance of the chair. to occupy but a minimum of space at the forward part of the chair thereby broadly enhancing rather than limiting the extent of styling variations of chairs to which said invention is intended, thereby becoming readily. adaptable It is constructed and arranged anddesirable, and exceed in application and use the inventions whichare incorporated in chairs within the category of. my invention. 7

Chairs of the type to which my invention relates usually comprise a frame of wood relative to which the seat and back are movable. such chairs to upholster the whole so as to provide a pleasing and artistic appearance and at the same time to provide cushioning and padding for the comfort of the chair occupant. V

it is the practice in the making of In accordance withv myinvention, the mechanism is 5 novel in form and is so associatedwith the chair" parts that, when the frame, and combined seat and back, and

theleg restare upholstered, the mechanism is concealed. Myinvention consists in certain novel features of construction and in the combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more particularly pointed out in the claims hereunto annexed and more fully described and referred to in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a chair construction embodying thenovel features of the invention; and

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the chair shown in Fig. 1.

Referring now to the drawings more in vention will be fully described.

Side frames generally designated by 2 each include similar forward vertical members 4 and rear vertical members 6 which are secured at lower ends to opposite ends of bottom side rails 8. Intermediate rails 10 have opposite ends connected to the members 4 and 6. Upper side detail, the in 'ice rails 12 are secured to upper ends of members 4 and 6 so as to provide arm rests.

The side frames 2 and 2 are connected together in spaced relation by a transverse member such as a stop 18.. There may be other transverse members'which have opposite ends secured to other elements of the side frames such as base members 20'and 22. The transverse members will secure the side frames in such a spaced relation as will provide room for a comfortable seat andback therebetween. I

The side frames 2 and 2 and the connecting transverse members form what will bereferred to as a supporting structure.

The construction described constitutes a strong and rigid combination of elements which will. usually be formed from wood, secured together in the usual manner as by screws, nails, glue, or the like- The supporting structure will be upholstered with suitable padding and covering material for purposes of appearance as is usual. It will be here understood that in the drawings, such upholstery has not been shown for purposes of clarity.

A combined seat and back structure is generally designated by 24 and includes L-shaped side members having back portions such as 26 and seat portions such as 27. The side members are secured together in transversely spaced relation by various members such as 28, 29 and 30.

The elements of the combined seat .and back may be formed from wood and may be upholstered by padding and covering material in the usual manner for concealment of the structural elements aswell as for the comfort of the occupant.

Side members 26 and 27 of the combined seat and back are connected to the supporting structure for movements of the former relative to the latter between an upright position of the seat and back, as shown in full lines in Fig. 1, and a reclining position rearwardly thereof as shown in dash lines in Fig. 1. I v r Movements of the seatand back from the upright posie tion thereof in the direction of the arrow a to the reclining position thereof'may be accomplished in various ways as by a pivot 30 connecting each side member 26 to the adjacent rail member. 10. The member 30 may, if desired, consist of a single rod which may extend between and be fixed to the opposite rail members .10 and 10. I

A leg rest generally designated by 35is provided which comprises secured together opposite side members such as 36 and'transverse upper and lower members such, as 38 and 39 respectively.

The elements of the leg rest may be formed from wood and the structure may be upholstered by padding and covering in the usual manner.

. Elongated plate members 40 at opposite sides of the leg rest have portions 42 fixed as by screws 44 to the leg rest and elongated portions such as'46 extending from the leg rest in more or less right angular relatiorithereto.

seat at 'forwardside portions thereof for the swinging of the leg rest from the full line position (upright position) to the dash line position (reclining position), all as is shown in Fig. 1.

Stops such as 50' extend inwardly of the members 10 of the supporting structure.

Instead of a pair of stops at either side of the structure, a single stop in the form of a rod may extend between the members 10 of the structure if desired.

The free end portions 46 of the plate members 40 are provided with elongated slots 52 which are closed at opposite ends. Said slots 52 are slidable on the stops 50.

If desired, there may be hinge connections separate from the plates which hingedly connect the leg rest and the forward portion of the seat. I

In thesitting position-of the seatand back as shown in full lines in Fig. l, the leg rest depends downwardly from the forward end of the seat and between the forward members 4 of the supporting structure.

As the occupant of the chair leans 'backwardly, the seat "andback tilt in the direction of the arrow a to the reclining position. As theseat tilts upwardly to the reclining position so as to swing the pivotal connections 50 upwardly, the plate members 40 are swung upwardly on the pivots 50 to the position shown in dash lines inFig. 1.

During said swinging, the slots 52 in the portions 46 of the plate members 40 are slidable on the stops 50 bringing each stop 50 up against one of the ends of the related'slot, thereby confining movements of joccupant to the fixed limits of posture.

The leg rest is therefore guided for swinging movement relative to the seat member by the plate members 40 between a lower position to an upper position forwardly of the seat as the seat swings from upright or horizontal position to a reclining position.

'That is to say, means is provided forpivotally connecting the leg rest and the seat for the swinging of the former'relative to the latter and engageably connecting the leg rest and the supporting structure whereby as the seat moves to the reclining position, the leg rest swings forwardly of the seat.

With the leg rest mounted for movements relative to seat, the leg rest is swung to elevated position and projected outwardly simultaneously with the swinging of the seat and back from the sitting to the reclining positions. Conversely, as the seat and back are swung from the reclining to thesitting positions, the leg rest is moved downwardly to a position below the forward end of the seat.

It will be observed that the leg rest is swingable relative to the seat and is slidably and swingably connected to the support whereby through simple means the leg rest is propelled through movements-of the seat relative to the support.

It will be obvious that the novel features of theinvention-are adapted 'for use with all types of furnituresuch as that known as tubular usually made from metal tu- The inventionmay be embodiedin other specific forms without departing from the essentialcharacteristics there of. Hence, the present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects merely as-beingillustrative and notas being restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the-foregoing description, and all modifications and variations as fall within the meaning and purview and range of equivalency of the appended claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

What it is desired to claim and secure by Letters substantially upright and reclining positions, a depending leg rest at the forward portion of said seat, an elongated plate having an end fixed to said leg rest and an elongated free end portion extending transversely therefrom and below the seat of said seat and back, pivotal connections between said plate and said seat, a stop fixed to said structure, the free end portion of said plate provided with an elongated slot for engaging said stop and having closed opposite ends, said plate being'slidable on said stop, all adapted and arranged whereby as said seat swings from horizontal to reclining position said leg rest is swung to leg supporting positionforwardly of said seat and limited in further swingingthereof. v

2. A chair construction comprising in combination, a support, a seat and back, pivotal connections between said seat and back and said support for swinging of said seat and back between upright and reclining positions, a depending leg rest pivoted tothe forward portion of said seat by a plate having a forward end thereof fixed to said leg rest, and a combination guide and stop member connected to said support, the rearward end of said plate being provided with means for movably engaging said guide and stop'member.

3. A chair construction comprising in combination, a supporting structure, an integral seat and back, pivotal connections between said seat and back and said supporting structure for the swinging of said seat and back between upright and reclining positions, a depending leg rest pivoted to said seat and back, a fulcrum member fixed to said supporting structure, and a bracket member rigidly fixed to said leg rest and provided with means slidably and pivotally engaging said fulcrum, all adapted and arranged whereby as said seat and back swings from upright to reclining position said leg rest is responsively swung to leg supporting position forwardly of said seat and back.

4. A chair construction comprising in combination, a support, a seat and back, pivotal connections between said seat and back and said support for swinging of said Seat and back between upright and reclining positions, a depending leg rest pivoted to the forward portion of said seat, a bracket fixed to said leg rest and having a portion thereof extending awaytherefrom, and a fulcrum member secured to said support, the extending portion of said bracket being provided with means slidably and pivotally engaging said fulcrum member with said bracket being turnable about said fulcrum member as said seat and back'swings from upright to reclining position whereby said leg rest is responsivelyswung to leg supporting positionforwardly of said seat.

References Cited'in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,626,069 Beech Apr. 26, 1927 1,697,671 Watson Ian. 1, 1929 2,101,290 Pierson Dec. 7, 1937 2,208,800 Lorenz July 23, 1940 2,567,222 'Lorenz Sept. 11, 1951 2,604,141 Maurer July 22, 1952 

